Hind limb paralysis after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) in dogs

60 reports to the FDA describe hind limb paralysis in dogs given Ivermectin + Pyrantel. That is 0.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

60Reports
57%Marked serious
18%Recovered
28%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
13 35%
1–2 days
5 14%
3–7 days
7 19%
1–4 weeks
7 19%
Over a month
5 14%

How the animals did

Recovered
11 18%
Still unwell when reported
7 12%
Died
7 12%
Euthanised
10 17%
Not known
25 42%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
11
4–7 years
14
8–11 years
15
12+ years
11

About this medicine

Ivermectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly). Pyrantel treats roundworms and hookworms.

Products with this combination include Heartgard Plus, Tri-Heart Plus, Iverhart Plus. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Some herding breeds (for example Collies) carry the MDR1 gene variant and can be more sensitive to this drug class at high doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Ivermectin + Pyrantel cause hind limb paralysis in dogs?
60 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 3 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Hind limb paralysis with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Ivermectin + Pyrantel in dogs · Medicines most reported with hind limb paralysis